Date Published: 08/06/09

Congressman Jefferson Conviction: I am vindicated – Atiku

Abubakar Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has applauded the judgment of the Jury in the United States of America which convicted former Congressman William Jefferson of bribery and corruption but acquitted him on the charge of planning to compromise Atiku.  

“The United States government was unable to prove a bribe scheme involving Atiku because none ever existed.  Atiku Abubakar was another victim of Jefferson's scheming..Under the corrupt foreign practices act, and in accordance with the judge's instructions, the jury could have found Jefferson guilty of violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act  merely by making an offer of payment to the Vice President.The money in the freezer spoke for itself -- this case has nothing to do with the former vice president.” 

In a statement issued by the Atiku Media Office in Abuja , Abubakar said the acquittal of Jefferson on the charge of planning to bribe him vindicates his position over the years that he never had any improper relationship with the former Congressman.

“I have consistently maintained that I had no improper relationship with former Congressman Jefferson. My relationship with him was purely official and it was in an effort to attract foreign investors to Nigeria . Congressman Jefferson was Chairman of the House Committee on Nigeria and the request to meet him came from the Nigerian Embassy. His proposal for investment in the Nigerian Communications sector was passed to the Minister of Communications. I am glad that the judgment has confirmed that I had no improper relationship with him. “God has shamed the devil and cleared the innocent.”

“The judgment has also finally unraveled one of the biggest conspiracies in Nigeria ’s political history: the plot to humiliate me and to stop me from contesting the 2007 presidential election. It is now clear that, that plot was hatched at the highest level of the Nigerian government then in collusion with foreign agencies. The plot was not just to stop me from running for the presidency; it was aimed at denying the Nigerian people the right to choose their own leaders.

In Wednesday’s judgment, the Jury acquitted Jefferson on the allegation of “violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.” Congressman Jefferson had allegedly been caught on tape discussing with his business partner, Lori Mody about the possibility of bribing Nigerian Vice President, Abubakar and other Nigerian officials. The charge included transfer from Mody of $100,000 that Jefferson said was intended as a bribe to Nigerian Vice President Abubakar.

Jefferson denied the charge during trial. He admitted collecting the $100,000 from US businesswoman Mody, but said it was to placate a woman who desperately wanted the business to succeed. Atiku had also consistently denied the charge saying no discussion about money or bribe featured during his brief meeting with Congressman Jefferson in Maryland .

Jefferson had been quoted by the FBI as telling businesswoman Mody that he handed over the “African Art,” (taken to mean the money) to Atiku during a meeting. The FBI had raided Atiku’s wife’s residence in Maryland on the strength of the claim but the agency found no money.

Of the $100,000, a total of $90,000 was found hidden in the freezer at the residence of Jefferson . Another $5,000 of the amount had been given out by Jefferson to one of his staff who had financial difficulties.

 The vice president strongly believes in and is committed to the rule of law and an independent judiciary as pillars of democracy.  Vice President Abubakar appreciates the jury's thoughtful consideration of the evidence presented and expresses his continuing confidence in the US, judicial system.  . 

The judgment on Wednesday has finally brought to a close this highly politicized case of a troubled Congressman ensnaring everyone he came in contact with.